Entrepreneur Creates Electric Boats
Record gas prices are keeping some boat owners docked and sending boat sales off the deep end. The
perfect time to start a boat company, says Frank Jones. At least if your company is called Carolina Electric Boats.
Jones, who carries the title of company president, launched the business in 2005 in a former auto dealership on the outskirts of Benson, less than an hour southeast of Raleigh. But it’s taken three years for them to get their first boats in the water. This week it started delivery of those boats – a 10-foot fishing model named the Twin Troller X10. Other electric-powered models are being envisioned for a market expected to expand as fuel prices keep rising.
What makes the boats special are twin electric motors under the hull that can be operated with foot pedals – that lets fishermen keep both hands free to cast and reel in catches. Building contractor Tim Tait likes the idea of leaving his gas-guzzling boat parked on the trailer. Over two days of fishing, he can spend more than $200 in fuel.
Image via Charlotte
Angela on June 12th, 2008 11:59 am
I would love one of those, after they reinvent it a little so that I wouldn’t feel or look like I’m about to tip over.
They’re definitely onto something.
danakeith on June 12th, 2008 7:10 pm
wanna go for a ride on it..
heheheee:)
nice invention.
cassy on June 29th, 2008 8:02 pm
I like his invention especially i dont like the smell of gasoline when im riding a boat…like to ride it.
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